You’ve been dreaming of your kid becoming the next soccer superstar ever since you saw them kick their first ball. Now you want to find the best football academy in Nigeria to start molding those skills. With so many options out there, how do you even begin to choose? Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered. We know parents want their children to get the best training to become successful footballers. So we’ve put together this list of the top 5 football academies in Nigeria. We’ll give you all the details locations, training styles, and fees to help find the right fit for your future Messi or Ronaldo. Keep reading to learn about the premier football academies that Nigeria has to offer. With the help of this guide, your little one will be on their way to soccer stardom in no time!
Requirements To Join A Football Academy In Nigeria
There are several notable football academies across Nigeria that train talented young players. These academies aim to develop players’ skills and prepare them for professional football careers.
To join a football academy in Nigeria, you’ll need to meet several requirements. These academies are serious about developing top talent, so they have high standards for who they accept.
Age
Most academies accept players between the ages of 10 and 18. Some may consider players as young as 8 or as old as 20, depending on their skills and potential. The ideal age is between 14 and 16, when you’re entering your athletic prime and still have many years to develop your skills.
Skills and Experience
Football academies are looking for players with natural talent and a solid foundation of skills. You should have several years of experience playing for a club or school team. Strong skills in ball control, passing, dribbling, and shooting will make you an attractive candidate. Speed, strength, and endurance are also important.
Physical Fitness
To keep up with the demanding training schedule at an academy, you need to be in top physical shape. Work on cardio, strength and endurance training. Build muscle and improve your speed and agility. A healthy diet and lifestyle will give you the energy you need.
Commitment
Football academies make a major investment in players, so they want to see your dedication and commitment to the sport. Be ready to put in long hours of training nearly every day. Show your passion for football and willingness to work hard to improve.
Registration Fee
Academies charge a registration or tryout fee, typically 5,000 to 100,000 Naira. This covers the cost of evaluating your skills to determine if you’re accepted into the program. The fee is nonrefundable, so make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
Tryout
If invited to a tryout, be ready to demonstrate your skills under pressure. Tryouts typically involve fitness assessments, drills to test ball skills, small-sided games, and possibly full matches. Give 100% effort and show your talent, speed, technique, and football IQ. Make the most of the opportunity to impress the scouts and coaches.
Other requirements include the following:
- Original and photocopy of birth certificate or affidavit of age declaration.
- Passport photographs of you and your parents/guardians.
- Educational qualification certificates.
- Certificate of medical fitness gotten from a licensed hospital.
Steps To Join A Football Academy In Nigeria
Here are the steps to join a football academy in Nigeria:
Do your research
The first step is to find out which football academies are approved and accredited in Nigeria. Check their websites to learn about their programs, fees, and admission requirements.Visit the academies Once you’ve narrowed down your options, visit the academies you’re interested in. Meet the coaches and staff, tour the facilities, and watch some of the training sessions. See which environment and coaching style suits you best. Some academies may allow you to participate in a trial to assess your skills.
Complete the admission process
To apply, you’ll need to submit an application form, usually with a registration or application fee. You’ll also need to provide documents like a birth certificate, passport photos, and records of your football experience and skills. Some academies may require a medical exam and fitness test.
Prepare for training
If accepted into the program, get ready for intense training! Stock up on football gear like cleats, jerseys, socks, and shin guards. Work on your skills and endurance to ensure you’re fit enough for the academy’s training regimen. Training will typically include skill work, strength and conditioning, film review, and both intra-squad and inter-squad scrimmages.
Focus on developing your skills
While in the academy, focus on improving your technique, ball control, passing, shooting, defending, and other skills. Listen to your coaches and ask questions to better understand their feedback and instructions. Work hard to progress to more advanced levels of training and competitions.
With dedication and hard work, you can develop into a professional footballer through Nigeria’s football academy programs. Stay committed to continuous improvement and you’ll be representing Nigeria on the world stage in no time.
Get a registration form online or by visiting a training centre close to you.
Cost Of Joining A Football Academy In Nigeria
Football academies can be expensive, especially the top ones. The fees charged by football academies in Nigeria typically depend on the age of the player, the facilities and coaching provided as well as the reputation of the academy. On average, you can expect to pay between ₦50,000 to ₦500,000 per year to enroll in a reputable football academy in Nigeria.
Registration and Trials
Most football academies conduct trials and charge a registration or trials fee, typically around ₦5,000 to ₦20,000. The registration fee covers the cost of assessing the player during trials to determine if they have the potential to join the academy. Players who are successful at trials proceed to pay the full academy fees to begin training.
Training Fees
The bulk of the fees charged by football academies go towards training the players. This covers costs such as:
- Coaching and training equipment: Footballs, training gear, training facilities, etc.
- Coaches: Salaries of coaches, trainers and scouts.
- Accommodation: For boarding players. Day students typically pay lower fees.
- Meals: For boarding players.
Fees for training typically range from ₦50,000 to ₦500,000 per year depending on the age of the player and the academy. Boarding students pay significantly higher fees compared to day students.
Additional Costs
In addition to the training fees, you may need to pay for:
- Transport: To and from training or games.
- Medicals: Regular medical checkups and treatment of injuries.
- Education: For students combining football with normal schooling.
- Participation in competitions: Additional fees may apply for participating in football competitions and tournaments.
The total cost can vary significantly between academies. It is best to contact your preferred football academies directly to get details of their specific fees and what is included before enrolling your child. With the right academy and dedication, the investment in your child’s football education can be well worth it!
Top 5 Football Academies in Nigeria
The football academy system in Nigeria has come a long way. There are currently many top-rated football academies spread across the country. These academies have gained prominence for producing some of the best football talents in Nigeria. Some notable alumni of these academies who have gone on to have successful professional careers include John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Here are the top 5 football academy in Nigeria:
Buruj Sports Academy
Buruj Sports Academy remains one of the greatest possibilities for any athlete aiming to be great in their various athletic careers, with no discrimination or limitations on what each player may achieve.
This academy has stayed true to the Values are established from the start, with maximum sporting ambition today spanning from a strong interest in football, jogging, basketball, cycling, table tennis, and lawn tennis games, as well as participation in other major sports.
The objective is to provide young players with a proactive platform to develop their talents and potential in order to become thoroughbred professionals who can integrate into the National Team, with a strong emphasis on the grassroots level.
Academy Success
BSA players have participated in annual international tournaments attended by players from over 20 countries, which are organized in the United Kingdom.
- 2016 third place at the Dubai International Super Cup
- 2017, 2018 – Double Champion of the English International Super Cup, Manchester City United Kingdom.
- 2018 – Youth Champions of the TTD Dubai Super Cup in U.A.E
- 2019 – Runners up English and W Int’l Super Cup in Kingdom.
The players’ performances abroad impressed the organizers while also satisfying the hunger of renowned club scouts looking for young potential to recruit, such as Manchester United and Everton. Following successful tryouts, several players have been offered scholarships by clubs such as Barnet F.C. and Borehamwood F.C.
In 2017 and 2018, Borehamwood Football Club awarded scholarships to two players: Salaudeen Noah Abolaji and Akuba Ignatius Omachonualso.
Fees
Full-Time Football Programs are for Ages 9 – 22yrs.
This football academy fee depends training duration.
- 1 Year = #600,000
- 2 Years = #1,100,000
- 3 Years = #1,500,000
- 4 Years = #2,000,000
Address: Buruj Sports House 8, Adeniran Oshodi Street, off Olokodana Street, Ogolonto Bus Stop, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria
Phone Number: +234 803-296-0130, +234803-296-0124
Email: info@burujsportsacademy.com Mon – Sat 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Website: https://burujsportsacademy.com/
Lagos Tigers FC
Lagos Tigers Football Club (LTFC) is a fast expanding junior football club/soccer school located in Lekki. It was founded in 2012 to fill a vacuum in excellent football training for boys and girls aged 3 to 15.
A team of experienced coaches with significant experience working with youngsters trains club members. LTFC emphasizes and fosters good fair play, discipline, confidence, and integrity in its players, as well as recognizing and developing their particular abilities and encouraging teamwork via entertaining play and technical instruction.
Term Subscription:
Parents with two or more children get a 10% reduction on term costs.
For U6 players:
- Full-term subscription: U6, #50,000 per child.
- Half-term subscription: U6, #28,000 per child
For players aged 7 and above:
- Once a week, #57,000 per child
- Twice a week, #75,000 per child.
- Three times a week: #85,000 per child.
- The days of the week are Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Players can select all days, two days, or just one day.
The club is a uniformed academy, hence the uniform is required. The Club Uniform set costs #15,000 per child (which includes a jersey, shorts, hose, kit bag, and shin guards).
Connect with Lagos Tigers FC:
For more information on Lagos Tigers FC and its youth development programs, please contact:
Website: www.ltfc.club
Email: info@ltfc.club
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lagostigersfc
Location: Club is at Greenfield Soccer Pitch – Plot 3 Ayodele Odubiyi Street (behind Folashade Awe Street Lekki Phase 1) Close to Elevation Church Marwa Bus Stop.
The academy has ambitious plans to become one of the top football academies in Africa, producing world-class football talents. With continued investments in high quality training and talent development, Lagos Tigers FC is poised to achieve this goal.
The AS Roma Academy Abuja
The AS Roma Academy Abuja is open to all boys and girls aged 5 to 17 years old and provides the opportunity to learn the methodology and training practices that have inspired brilliant players such as Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi, and Pellegrini. The AS Roma International Academy program is recognized around the world for the excellence of its youth team, represents a commitment to teaching young players in sports and education while also imparting the club’s work philosophy and values to the rest of the world.
Every player will be helped to attain their maximum potential by AS Roma’s technical staff and specialized local coaches, while also mastering the training and educational method employed by AS Roma’s Youth Sector.
AS Roma Academy Abuja Fees varies depending on your age and category (for example, under 15).
The football academy fee is approximately #240,000 per term.
Contact
To contact The AS Roma Academy Abuja full this form.
Phone: +2349152880001
Website: https://abujaacademy.asroma.com/
Address: M.K.O. Abiola, National Stadium Abuja.
Midas Football Academy
Midas Football Academy was founded in November 2006 with the goal of discovering and developing young soccer talent in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
The academy is officially registered and associated with both the Nigeria Football Federation and the Lagos State Football Association. With a global network of international football clubs and football management companies, young players have had the opportunity to demonstrate their talents to football coaches, agents, and scouts from Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Americas.
Midas Football Academy’s mission is to become the largest football academy in Nigeria and Africa, to have branches and centers all over the world, and to become the most successful football academy with the type of players that will be produced for National teams and Football world.
The program also helps players outside of Lagos who require a place to stay at their own expense.
Compulsory Coaching Fee: ₦45,000.00 (per annum).
Contact
Midas Football Academy
Phone:234 (817)-601-9417, +234 (903)-894-4553, +1(832)-589-0062
WhatsApp: +234(803-376-9034)
Address: The academy is located at Gospel Camp Ground, Command Ipaja, Lagos.
Email:
information@midasfootballacademy.com
Website: https://midasfootballacademy.com
Pepsi Football Academy
Pepsi Football Academy was founded in November 1992 by Kashimawo Laloko as a football school at the Agege Stadium (courtesy of the Lagos State Sports Council), and it received full support from Pepsi in 1994, becoming one of Nigeria’s most prestigious academies.
The academy has enrolled thousands of children aged 6 to 18, with trainers spread across 14 training centers across the country that operate all year. The academy is determined to continue aiding young, talented, and competent players in advancing their careers and becoming international professionals.
PEPSI Football Academy also provides scholarship opportunities for its participants to advance their academic and sporting careers in the United Kingdom.
The Pepsi Football Academy has produced some well-known football players over the years.
Some of the greatest from their production line are:
- John Obi Mikel
- Elderson Echiejile
- Adeola Lanre Runsewe
- Isaac Promise
- Babajide Ogunbiyi
- Derick Amadi
- Femi Joseph
- Edward Ofere
- Echiabhi Okodugha
- Emeka Opara
- Ezekiel Bala
- Ambrose Vanzekin
List of Pepsi Football Academy Training Centre
Lagos Training Centre
Address: Cocoa Industries Field, off Akilo Road, Ogba
Sagamu Training Centre
Address: AUD Primary School, opposite Awolowo Market, Makun
Ibadan Training Centre
Address: Olubadan Stadium lyaganku
Ilorin Training Centre
Address: Kwara State Stadium Complex
Aba Training Centre
Address: Enyimba Int’l FC Stadium
Benin Training Centre
Address: Western Boys High School, Ikpoba Hill
Abuja Training Centre
Address: Government Senior Secondary School, Tundunwada, Zone 4
Kaduna Training Centre
Address: Murtala Mohammed Square Independence Way, opposite The Hamdala Hotel
Jos Training Centre
Address: Methodist Primary School
Kano Training Centre
Address: Rumfa College, along Buk Road, PMB 3079
Enugu Training Centre
Address: Rangers Stadium, Nkpokiti Street, Independence Layout
Owerri Training Centre
Address: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Imo S Sports Council
Orile-Imo Training Centre
Address: The Football College, Km Sagamu/Abeokuta Expressway
Conclusion
Nigeria has excellent raw and youthful football talent. These young players, if properly managed by premier academies, will bloom into superstars. If you are passionate about football and want to become a professional and efficient player, you should pay close attention to some of the football academies mentioned in this article. Ensure you review these academies before applying or making a payment. Be wary of scammers posing as agents or schools.
To inquire about these academies and receive the most recent news and updates, visit their respective websites.